Waste segregation compliance system

ABSTRACT

A waste segregation compliance system and method including a processor, a waste receptacle configured to detect a deposit of an item therein and to provide a deposit signal to the processor, and a detector configured to detect a person and to provide a location signal to the processor in response to detection of the person.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/154,644, filed May 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,759,959,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/293,924, filed May 25, 2001, the disclosure of each is herebyexpressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a waste segregation compliancesystem and, in particular, to a waste segregation compliance systemwhich monitors the quantity of various categories of waste, such asinfectious medical waste, general waste and sharps, disposed of byindividual persons.

[0003] Healthcare facilities attempt to minimize the spread of infectionand contamination by providing waste receptacles to receive infectiousmedical waste (IMW). IMW is waste that requires special control andhandling procedures thereby increasing disposal costs. Examples of IMWare blood, mucus, tissue, soiled surgical dressings, syringes, and otheritems which are exposed to potentially infectious agents.

[0004] A healthcare facility could substantially reduce its IMW disposalcosts through proper waste segregation. More particularly, not all thewaste which is disposed of as IMW is in fact IMW. As such, a healthcarefacility can reduce IMW disposal costs by proper segregation of IMW fromother types of waste, such as general waste and sharps, at the point ofgeneration. However, several factors prohibit proper segregation ofwaste, such as inconvenience to the overworked healthcare provider, thetimely location of the proper trash receptacles, and the lack of amonitoring and feedback system.

[0005] Accordingly, a need exists for a waste segregation compliancesystem, which provides an integrated waste receptacle, detects thedisposal of various types and amounts of waste, determines the identityof the person depositing waste, and provides reporting capabilities.Additionally, a need exists for a waste segregation compliance systemwhich automatically monitors waste disposal and provides reportsdetailing the compliance of individual persons and departments withwaste disposal protocols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical block diagram illustrating thecomponents of a waste segregation compliance system of the presentinvention;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship between asub-set of the components of FIG. 1.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical block diagram illustrating thecomponents of a first embodiment of the waste compliance system of thepresent invention;

[0009]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatical, side view of a waste receptacle of thepresent invention;

[0010]FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the waste receptacle of FIG. 4;

[0011]FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the waste receptacle of FIG. 4A,illustrating the operation of the waste receptacle;

[0012]FIG. 4C is a side view of the waste receptacle of FIG. 4A;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a flowchart representation of the steps performed by afirst component of the software of the waste segregation compliancesystem of FIG. 3;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a flowchart representation of the steps performed by asecond component of the software of the waste segregation compliancesystem of FIG. 3;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a flowchart representation of the steps performed by thesoftware of the waste segregation compliance system of FIG. 3 in theabsence of receiving a valid identification signal;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a sample waste receptacle display report;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a diagrammatical representation of a portion of ahealthcare facility incorporating a waste segregation compliance systemof the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 10 is a diagrammatical block diagram illustrating thecomponents of a second embodiment of the waste segregation compliancesystem of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 10A is a diagrammatical block diagram illustrating aninteraction between the waste receptacle of the waste segregationcompliance system of FIG. 10 and the location tracking system of thewaste segregation compliance system of FIG. 10;

[0020]FIG. 10B is a diagrammatical block diagram illustrating analternative interaction between the components of FIG. 10A;

[0021]FIG. 10C is a diagrammatical block diagram illustrating analternative interaction between the components of FIG. 10A;

[0022]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a waste receptacle of the presentinvention located in a patient's room;

[0023]FIG. 11A is a block diagram of a RFID tag and a RFID detector;

[0024]FIG. 12 is a diagrammatical, side view of a waste receptacle ofthe present invention;

[0025]FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the waste receptacle of FIG. 12for use by a caregiver;

[0026]FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the waste receptacle of FIG.13A, illustrating the operation of the waste receptacle;

[0027]FIG. 13C is a side view of the waste receptacle of FIG. 13A;

[0028]FIG. 14 is a flowchart representation of the steps performed by afirst component of the software of the waste segregation compliancesystem of FIG. 10;

[0029]FIG. 15 is a flowchart representation of the steps performed by asecond component of the software of the waste segregation compliancesystem of FIG. 10;

[0030]FIG. 16 is a flowchart representation of the steps performed bythe software of the waste segregation compliance system of FIG. 10 inthe absence of receiving a valid identification signal;

[0031]FIG. 17 is a sample waste segregation display report;

[0032]FIG. 18 is an illustrative example of a departmental wastedisposal compliance report;

[0033]FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the wastereceptacle of the present invention for use by a caregiver;

[0034]FIG. 19B is a perspective view of the waste receptacle of FIG.19A, illustrating the operation of the waste receptacle;

[0035]FIG. 20A is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the wastereceptacle of the present invention for use by a caregiver;

[0036]FIG. 20B is a perspective view of the waste receptacle of FIG.20A, illustrating the operation of the waste receptacle;

[0037]FIG. 21A is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the wastereceptacle of the present invention for use by a caregiver;

[0038]FIG. 21B is a perspective view of the waste receptacle of FIG.21A, illustrating the operation of the waste receptacle;

[0039]FIG. 22A is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the wastereceptacle of the present invention for use by a caregiver; and

[0040]FIG. 22B is a perspective view of the waste receptacle of FIG.22A, illustrating the operation of the waste receptacle;

[0041]FIG. 23A is a front, perspective view of a sixth embodiment of thewaste receptacle of the present invention; and

[0042]FIG. 23B is a rear, perspective view of the waste receptacle ofFIG. 23A of the waste receptacle of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit theinvention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, theinvention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

[0044] The present invention is a waste segregation compliance system100. In a general form as illustrated in FIG. 1, the waste segregationcompliance system 100 monitors the placement of waste into a wastereceptacle. In a first exemplary embodiment, the waste segregationcompliance system 200 is a stand alone system (FIG. 3). In a secondexemplary embodiment, the waste segregation compliance system 500includes a caregiver locating and tracking system 501 (FIG. 10), whichperforms locating and tracking of individuals or assets in addition tothe monitoring of waste placement. Caregiver locating and trackingsystems are known in the art, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat.Nos. RE35,035; 5,561,412; and 5,838,223, all of which are assigned tothe assignee of the present invention, and the disclosures of which areexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0045] Referring further to FIG. 1, waste segregation compliance system100 is composed of a waste receptacle 110, a waste detection member 120,an identification member 130, and a reporting member 140. Wastereceptacle 110 provides a holding place for waste until a later timewhen the waste can be properly disposed. Waste detection member 120detects the use of waste receptacle 110 and may form part of receptacle110 itself. Alternatively, waste detection member 120 may be providedseparately from the waste receptacle 110. Examples of a use of wastereceptacle 110 detectible by waste detection member 120 include theopening of a lid or cover, the deposit of waste into waste receptacle110, the passing of waste through a threshold of waste receptacle 110,an increase or decrease in the weight of the waste contained in wastereceptacle 110, and a change in the level or volume of the waste inwaste receptacle 110.

[0046] Identification member 130 identifies a person adjacent to thewaste receptacle 110. Identification member 130 may be coupled to thewaste receptacle 110. Alternatively, identification member 130 may bepositioned remotely from waste receptacle 110. Reporting member 140 isin communication with identification member 130, and is configured toreport on various activities, such as the identity of the personadjacent the waste receptacle 110. Examples of the reporting of theidentity of the person adjacent waste receptacle 110 by reporting member140 include making available the identification information to aprocessor, displaying the identification information on a display screenand producing physical summaries of the identification information. Inone exemplary embodiment, reporting member 140 is in communication withboth identification member 130 and waste detection member 120 forreporting information related to both the identity of the personadjacent waste receptacle 110 and the amount of waste placed into wastereceptacle 110. In another exemplary embodiment, reporting member 140computes and reports the disposal cost associated with the amount ofwaste placed in waste receptacle 110.

[0047]FIG. 2 further illustrates the interaction between waste detectionmember 120, identification member 130 and reporting member 140 of wastesegregation compliance system 100. Referring to FIG. 2, waste detectionmember 120 detects a use of waste receptacle 110 and generates a depositsignal 125 in response to the detected use. Identification member 130detects the presence of a person adjacent to waste receptacle 110 andgenerates a location signal 135 in response to the detected presence.Deposit signal 125 and location signal 135 are provided to a processor115. In one exemplary embodiment, processor 115 is coupled to wastereceptacle 110. In another exemplary embodiment, processor 115 is remotefrom waste receptacle 110. Processor 115 creates a report signal 145 inresponse to receiving deposit signal 125 and location signal 135. Reportsignal 145 is used by reporting member 140 to generate a report. In oneexemplary embodiment, report signal 145 includes only location signal135 because deposit signal 125 is not provided. In another exemplaryembodiment, report signal 145 includes only deposit signal 125 becauselocation signal 135 is not provided.

[0048] Turning to FIG. 3, the stand-alone waste segregation compliancesystem 200 is shown. In waste segregation compliance system 200, a wastedetection member 220 which generates a deposit signal 225, anidentification member 230 which generates a location signal 235, and areporting member 240 which receives a report signal 245, are provided incommunication with a waste receptacle 210. It should be appreciated thatwaste detection member 220, identification member 230, and reportingmember 240 may be integrated with waste receptacle 210 or,alternatively, may be positioned spaced from waste receptacle 210. Wastereceptacle 210 additionally is coupled to a memory 250 and a processor260. Processor 260 is in communication with memory 250 and includes atimer or clock 261.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4A, a person 202 approaches a housing 211 ofwaste receptacle 210 with waste 204. A badge 206 is associated withperson 202. An illustrative embodiment of badge 206 includes an infrared(IR) transmitter which transmits an identification signal 208 includinga unique identification code specific to the person 202 wearing badge206. While the transmitter in each badge 206 is described as an infrared(IR) transmitter, it is within the scope of the invention as presentlyperceived to include transmitters that transmit any desired frequency ofelectromagnetic radiation or sound waves, so long as, identificationmember 230 is compatible therewith and capable of detecting suchtransmissions.

[0050] In FIG. 4A, identification member 230 includes a detector 232 todetect identification signal 208. It is well known in the art todetermine an identification code from a received identification signal208 which was originally transmitted with the identification code. It iswithin the scope of the present invention for badge 206 to include areceiver, such that identification member 230 is able to poll orinterrogate badge 206, thereby causing badge 206 to transmitidentification signal 208. In an exemplary embodiment, identificationmember 230 includes a transmitter which sends a polling signal to badge206. In response to the reception of the polling signal, badge 206 sendsidentification signal 208 to identification member 230.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment, identification member 230 includesa conventional keypad (not shown) whereby person 202 manually inputs hisor her identification code into the keypad. In a further alternativeembodiment, identification member 230 includes a magnetic strip reader(not shown) of the type known in the art. Person 202 provides his or heridentification code to identification member 230 by swiping aconventional identification card (not shown), having a magnetic stripencoded with the identification code, through the magnetic strip reader.

[0052] As will be further described below, in an alternative embodiment,badge 206 includes an RFID tag for providing ID signal 208 to detector232. Accordingly, detector 232 includes a transceiver for activating theRFID tag of badge 206, and for receiving ID signal 208.

[0053] The exemplary waste receptacle 210, shown in FIGS. 4 through 4Cincludes separate or segregated waste compartments 270, 280, and 290. Byhaving multiple compartments 270, 280, and 290, different types of wastecan be segregated based upon waste type. In an exemplary embodiment foruse in a healthcare facility, compartment 270 is designated for sharpswaste such as needles, compartment 290 is designated for infectiousmedical waste (IMW) such as soiled surgical dressings and syringes, andcompartment 280 is designated for general waste, such as any waste notdesignated for compartments 270 or 290.

[0054] It is not a requirement that compartments 270, 280, and 290 allbe contained within single housing 211. In one embodiment, compartment270 is located on a wall 213 and compartments 280 and 290 are located ina floor receptacle. Identification member 230 and waste detection member220 must be able to provide location signal 235 and deposit signal 225such that report signal 245 is generated, regardless of the physicalplacement of compartments 270, 280 and 290. It is within the scope ofthe present invention to assign different types of waste to compartments270, 280 and 290, and to vary the number of compartments. In oneexemplary embodiment, waste receptacle 210 includes a singlecompartment. A single compartment arrangement is advantageous when onlya single type of waste is to be tracked. Applications requiring thatonly a single type of waste be tracked generally occur when disposalcosts are substantially uniform for different types of waste except forone type of waste which has a disposal cost substantially different fromthat of other types of waste.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A, waste 204 is placed into compartment270 by passing waste 204 through a threshold or opening 277. Waste 204is placed into compartment 280 by lifting a pivotally mounted lid orcovering 281, as shown in FIG. 4B by arrow 284. Waste 204 is placed incompartment 290 by applying pressure to a foot pedal 291 which causes abin 293 of compartment 290 to tilt or pivot forward, as indicated byarrow 294 in FIG. 4B. While the compartment 290 includes a bin 293pivotally supported by the housing 211, it should be appreciated thatthe compartment 290 may be configured to provide access in a variety ofmanners, including, but not limited to, a sliding bin and a pivotallymounted access door.

[0056] Waste detection member 220 detects when waste 204 is deposited inone of or a combination of compartments 270, 280 and 290. Compartments270, 280, and 290, in an exemplary embodiment, contain sensors, such asscales 272, 282, and 292 (FIG. 4), to detect a change in the weight ofthe respective compartment. In this exemplary embodiment, wastedetection member 220 determines the compartment 270, 280 or 290 intowhich waste 204 was deposited by determining the change in weight foreach respective compartment 270, 280 and 290.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, waste detection member 220includes threshold components 274 and 276 positioned near opening 277 incompartment 270. Components 274 and 276 are designed to determine whenwaste 204 passes into opening 277 and can be used in place of scale 272or in combination therewith. In one embodiment, component 274 is anemitter and component 276 is a detector configured to detect energyemitted by component 274. When waste 204 passes between emitter 274 anddetector 276 the signal detected by detector 276 from emitter 274 ismodified, thereby indicating that waste 204 is being placed incompartment 270.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, waste detection member 220includes a sensor 296 associated with covering 281 to detect the depositof waste 204 into compartment 280 by detecting the opening of covering281. The sensor 296 may be utilized in place of scale 282 or incombination therewith. Examples of sensors to detect the opening ofcover 281 include inductive based sensors or continuity sensors.

[0059] In the another exemplary embodiment, waste detection member 220includes sensors (not shown) to detect the level or volume of the waste204 in compartments 270, 280 and 290. Such level or volume sensors areknown in the art and are especially tailored for use with applicationswhich include liquid waste. An advantage of sensors 272, 282, and 292over threshold components 274, 276 and sensor 296 associated with theopening of cover 281, is that sensors 272, 282, and 292 not only detectthe deposit of waste 204 into compartments 270, 280 and 290,respectively, but additionally detect the weight of waste 204 deposited.

[0060] Referring further to the exemplary embodiment waste receptacle210 of FIG. 4A, reporting member 240 includes a display screen 242. Asexplained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5-7, when wastecompliance system 200 detects the deposit of waste 204 into compartment270, 280 or 290 of waste receptacle 210 and identifies the person 202adjacent waste receptacle 210, then reporting member 240 reports theresults of the detections. Generally, waste detection member 220generates deposit signal 225 and identification member 230 generateslocation signal 235. Deposit signal 225 and location signal 235 arecombined to generate report signal 245 which is made available toreporting member 240. In another exemplary embodiment, report signal 245contains only location signal 235, such that reporting member 240reports location signal 235 based on identification signal 208, but notdeposit signal 225. In another exemplary embodiment, report signal 245contains only deposit signal 225, such that, reporting member 240reports deposit signal 225 but not location signal 235.

[0061] In FIG. 8, an illustrative report 244 is shown of the type forpresentation on display 242. Report 244 includes a title 246, a name orother identifying information 248 of person 202, a breakdown 249 ofwaste 204 deposited and a calculated disposal cost 251.

[0062] Referring again to FIG. 4C, waste receptacle 210 further includesa handle 215 and wheels 217. Wheels 217 are rotatably supported at alower rear end of housing 211, while handle 215 is located at an upperrear end of housing 211 and extend outwardly. The wheels 217 provide apivot axis about which the housing 211 may be tilted. In one embodiment,handle 215 is pivotally mounted for storage within a recess (not shown)of housing 211 when waste receptacle 210 is in use. Handle 215 andwheels 217 allow for the easy transport of waste receptacle 210 fromlocation to location. Waste receptacle 210 is moved, similar to atwo-wheel cart, by tilting housing 211 backwards, such that only wheels217 contact the floor 219, and then rolling waste receptacle 210 eitherforward or backward on wheels 217.

[0063] The mobility of waste receptacle 210 allows for waste receptacle210 to be moved to a conventional central disposal location wherecompartments 270, 280 and 290 are emptied into corresponding largercompartments. Alternatively, the mobility of waste receptacle 210 allowsperson 202 to take waste receptacle 210 with them during their workshift. For example, in an industrial setting, person 202 may transportwaste receptacle 210 with them during the performance of preventivemaintenance operations to machines thereby facilitating the propersegregation of waste, such as old parts, used fluids and general waste.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5-7, the operation of waste detectionmember 220, identification member 230 and reporting member 240 iscontrolled by processor 260 which executes software 300. Flowchartscorresponding to two components of software 300 executed by processor260 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The first component of software 300 isexecuted when deposit signal 225 is generated within a reasonable timeprior to a location signal 235. The length of time which is considered areasonable time is a variable set based upon (i) the type ofidentification member 230, (ii) the type of waste detection member 220,and (iii) the requirements of the accompanying tasks, for examplepatient care. The second component of software 300 is executed whenlocation signal 235 is generated within a reasonable time prior todeposit signal 225. A reasonable time may be based upon the factorsidentified above. Each component of software 300 is detailed below withreference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 7 illustrates the steps taken bysoftware 300 when a valid identification signal 208 is not received byidentification member 230 and therefore location signal 235 is notgenerated within a reasonable time after the reception of deposit signal225.

[0065] A flowchart illustrating the steps or functions performed by thefirst component of software 300 is shown in FIG. 5. Once the system 200is activated at block 301, all variables are initialized or set toinitial values. More particularly, the amount, typically the weight, ofwaste 204 in each compartment 270, 280, 290 is measured and stored inmemory 260. Next, software 300 waits to receive deposit signal 225 afrom waste detection member 220, as represented at block 302. Asdetailed above, deposit signal 225 represents the detection of waste204. In an exemplary embodiment, software 300 is capable of performingadditional tasks in the absence of the reception of deposit signal 225a, as represented by block 304. For example, the additional tasks areinitiated by an interrupt to the software execution. One example of anadditional task, is the processing of location signal 235 in the absenceof deposit signal 225 a (see FIG. 6). If deposit signal 225 a isreceived, then software 300 activates identification member 230.

[0066] Block 306 represents the activation of waste receptacle detector232 in response to waste 204 being detected by waste detection member220. As detailed above, waste receptacle detector 232 detects theidentification signal 208 emitted by badge 206. The receivedidentification signal 208 is analyzed to determine the identity ofperson 202, at process block 308. If identification signal 208 is validin accordance with predetermined criteria, then identification member230 generates a location signal 235. If identification signal 208 is notvalid, then identification member 230 does not generate a locationsignal 235. In an alternative embodiment, identification member 230 iscontinuously active, such that location signal 235 is generatedindependent of the generation of deposit signal 225 a. By havingidentification member 230 always active, waste segregation compliancesystem 200 is capable of tracking the identity of person 202 adjacentdetector 232, regardless of whether person 202 deposits wastes 204within waste receptacle 210.

[0067] After a reasonable time has passed, software 300 checks todetermine if a valid location signal 235 has been received fromidentification member 230, as represented at decision block 305. If alocation signal 235 has not been received, then software 300 initiatesan unassigned deposit routine, as represented at process block 307. Theunassigned deposit routine is explained in detail below in connectionwith FIG. 7. If a valid location signal 235 is received, then software300 activates timer 261 at block 309. The timer 261 controls thepredetermined time frame or period wherein multiple deposits of waste204 are all included in a single waste event 278 and attributed to thesame person 202 identified in location signal 235. Waste event 278includes all of the deposit signals 225 received during the period oftime defined by the timer 261. For example, in FIG. 3 two separate wastedeposit signals 225 a and 225 b generated during a period of timedefined by timer 261 are grouped together as a single waste event 278for transmission to processor 260. By setting the timer 261 to a low orzero value, each deposit of waste 204 is recorded as a separate wasteevent 278. By increasing the timer 261 to a higher value, multipledeposit signals 225 are included in the same event. The compartment 270,280, 290 corresponding to the detected deposit signal 225 is recordedwithin memory 250 at block 310, and the weight of the contents ofidentified compartment 270, 280, 290 is recorded within memory 250 atblock 312.

[0068] As is readily apparent, the current recorded weight of waste 204within any compartment 270, 280 and 290 is a composite value ofpreviously deposited waste 204. The software 300 is therefore capable ofcalculating the incremental change in weight due to the addition of newwaste 204 into a respective compartment 270, 280 and 290. Moreparticularly, the memory 250 stores a value for weight of waste 204 at agiven time. After additional waste 204 is added to the respectivecompartment 270, 280 and 290, the processor 260, as instructed bysoftware 300, determines a differential between the new weight of thecompartment 270, 280 and 290 and the weight stored in memory 250. Assuch, the weight of the new additional waste 204 is efficientlycalculated.

[0069] Software 300 determines if the timer 261 expired at block 313. Ifthe timer 261 has not expired, then at block 315 software 300 determinesif an additional deposit signal 225 b has been generated by wastedetection number 220. If an additional deposit signal 225 b has beenreceived, then the process returns to block 310 where the compartment270, 280, 290 corresponding to the deposit signal 225 b is recorded. Theweight of the compartment 270, 280, 290 is again recorded at bock 312.

[0070] In another exemplary embodiment, software 300 records the weightof each compartment 270, 280, 290 only after the timer 261 has expired.As such, the total weight of waste 204, corresponding to the detecteddeposit signals 225, is recorded after the timer 261 has expired. Insuch a system, deposit signal 225 serves only as an indication of whichcompartments 270, 280, 290 are to be weighed.

[0071] Once the timer 261 has expired, as determined at decision block313, software 300 generates waste event 278 as indicated in block 317.Waste event 278 is a summary of all deposit signals 225 received priorto the expiration of the timer 261 and includes the compartment 270,280, and 290 into which waste 204 was deposited and the amount of wastedeposited. Report signal 245 is generated by software 300 and sent toreporting member 240 at block 314. Report signal 245 includesinformation from location signal 235 and waste event 278.

[0072] Reporting member 240 communicates a compliance report 244 createdfrom report signal 245. In one exemplary embodiment, compliance report244 is displayed on display 242 as illustrated at block 316. In anotherexemplary embodiment, a tangible or hard copy of compliance report 244is created with an appropriate output device, such as a printer (notshown). In yet another exemplary embodiment, the data comprisingcompliance report 244 is made available in an electronic format to adatabase or e-mail system, such that the data can be provided topersonnel or other software programs.

[0073] An example compliance report 244 is shown in FIG. 8. Compliancereport 244 illustratively includes title 246, name or otheridentification 248 of person 202, waste breakdown 249 and disposal cost251. The percentage of the overall waste 204 deposited in eachcompartment, 270, 280, 290 is included in waste breakdown 249. Thedisposal cost is figured by multiplying the weight of each type of waste204 deposited by the average unit cost for disposing of that type ofwaste 204. The disposal costs for each type of waste 204 are then addedtogether to provide an overall disposal cost. The average unit disposalcosts for each type of waste 204 are variable values stored in memory250 and accessed by software 300. Alternatively, compliance report 244does not include disposal cost 251. The data detected is stored in adatabase or other file memory 250, as illustrated at block 318. In oneexemplary embodiment, report signal 245 is stored in memory 250, alongwith the weight of each compartment 270, 280 and 290.

[0074] The timer 261 of blocks 309 and 313 of FIG. 5 provides person 202with a fixed duration of time before software 300 records waste disposalevent 278. If the span of time between two or more deposits of waste 204and the corresponding reception of two or more deposit signals 225 iswithin the fixed duration of time set by the timer 261, then a singlewaste disposal event 278 is recorded when the timer 261 expires. If thespan of time between any two time adjacent deposits of waste 204 andcorresponding deposit signals 225 exceeds the fixed duration of time setby timer 261, then two waste disposal events 278 are recorded, one foreach deposit.

[0075] In another exemplary embodiment, software 300 determines whetherperson 202 is still detected by detector 232 to set the time frame ofwaste event 278 thereby eliminating the need for timer 261. Ifidentification signal 208 is still being received by detector 232,software 300 continues to monitor and record compartments 270, 280, 290and weights of waste 204. Once identification signal 208 is no longerreceived by detector 232, software 300 generates waste event 278 andgenerates report signal 245.

[0076] A flowchart illustrating the steps or functions performed by thesecond component of software 300 is shown in FIG. 6. After activation ofthe system 200 at block 349, all variables are initialized or set toinitial values. More particularly, the amount, typically the weight, ofwaste 204 in each compartment 270, 280, 290 is measured and stored inmemory 250. When a user 202 is in proximity to waste receptacle 210, anidentification signal 208 is received by identification member 230 atblock 350. More particularly, detector 232 detects the presence ofperson 202 through reception of identification signal 208. Theidentification signal 208 is next analyzed, at process block 352. Ifidentification signal 208 is valid, then identification member 230generates a location signal 235. If identification signal 208 is notvalid, then identification member 230 does not generate a locationsignal 235.

[0077] The software 300 at decision block 354 determines whetherprocessor 260 has received location signal 235 from identificationmember 230. If the location signal 235 has been received by processor260 then the software 300 continues at decision block 356, otherwise theprocess returns to block 350. At block 356 software 300 determines ifwaste detection member 220 has generated a deposit signal 225. If waste204 has not been detected, software 300 loops back to block 350 andwaits for the reception of a second, in time but not necessarily unique,location signal 235.

[0078] If a deposit signal 225 a is received at block 356, software 300actuates timer 261 at block 358. Next, the software 300 records withinmemory 250 the compartment 270, 280, 290 corresponding to deposit signal225 a, at block 360, and determines and records within memory 250 theweight of the contents of the identified compartment 270, 280, 290 atblock 362.

[0079] Software 300 determines if the timer 261 has expired at decisionblock 363. If the timer 261 has not expired, then software 300determines if an additional deposit signal 225 b has been generated bywaste detection member 220 at decision block 365. If an additionaldeposit signal 225 b has been received by processor 260, then theprocess returns to block 360. The compartment 270, 280, 290corresponding to the deposit signal 225 b and the weight of respectivecompartments 270, 280, 290 are recorded, as represented by blocks 360and 362.

[0080] In another exemplary embodiment, software 300 records the weightof each compartment 270, 280, 290 only after the timer 261 has expired.As such, the total weight of waste 204, corresponding to the receiveddeposit signals 225, is recorded after the timer 261 has expired. Insuch a configuration, deposit signal 225 serves only as an indication ofwhich compartment 270, 280, 290 is to be weighed.

[0081] Once the timer 261 has expired, as determined at block 363,software 300 generates waste event 278 at process block 369. Waste event278 is a summary of all deposit signals 225 received prior to theexpiration of the timer 261 and includes the compartment 270, 280, and290 into which waste 204 was deposited and the amount of waste 204deposited. Software 300 next instructs the processor 260 to generate andtransmit report signal 245 to reporting member 240, as illustrated byblock 370. Report signal 245 includes information from location signal235 and waste event 278. The timer 261 illustrated in FIG. 6 providesperson 202 with a fixed duration of time before software 300 records awaste disposal event 278.

[0082] In an alternative embodiment, software 300 determines whetheridentification signal 208 is still being received by detector 232 to setthe time frame of waste event 278 thereby eliminating the need for timer261. If identification signal 208 is still being received by detector232, software 300 continues to monitor and record compartments 270, 280,290 and weights of waste 204. Once identification signal 208 is nolonger received by detector 232, software 300 generates waste event 278.

[0083] Reporting member 240 communicates compliance report 244 which wascreated from report signal 245. In one exemplary embodiment, at block366 compliance report 244 is displayed on display 242. In anotherexemplary embodiment, a tangible or hard copy of compliance report 244is created with an appropriate output device, such as a printer (notshown). In yet another exemplary embodiment, the data comprisingcompliance report 244 is made available in an electronic format to adatabase or e-mail system, such that the data can be provided topersonnel or other software programs. An example of the compliancereport 244 is described in detail above in connection with FIG. 8. Thedetected data is then stored in a database or file of memory 250, asillustrated at block 368. In an exemplary embodiment, the data stored inmemory 250 includes the weight of compartments 270, 280, 290 and reportsignal 245.

[0084]FIG. 7 illustrates the unassigned deposit routine, which records awaste event 278 in the absence of the reception of a location signal235. The unassigned deposit routine is initiated at block 379 from thesoftware component illustrated in FIG. 5 when a deposit signal 225 hasbeen received and a reasonable time has passed without the reception ofa location signal 235. The term reasonable time is defined by a variablein software 300 and varies for different applications. In an exemplaryembodiment, the variable corresponding to a reasonable time is set at 1second.

[0085] Software 300 at block 380 activates a default timer (not shown)which is in addition to the timer 261 discussed in relation to FIGS. 5and 6. Software 300 records into memory 250 the compartment 270, 280,290 into which waste 204 is deposited, as represented by block 382. Thesoftware 300 further records into memory 250 the weight of waste 204, asrepresented by block 384. Software 300 determines if the default timerhas expired, at decision block 386. If the default timer has notexpired, then software 300 awaits an additional deposit of waste 204into waste disposal event 278 and corresponding new deposit signal 225 bat block 388. When the default timer expires, software 300 determines ifidentification member 230 has received a valid identification signal 208and has generated location signal 235, as illustrated by block 390. Iflocation signal 235 has been generated, then waste disposal event 278 isattributable to the person 202 identified by location signal 235, andsuch information is stored within memory 250 as indicated at block 392.If a location signal 235 is not received, then waste disposal event 278is marked as unassigned at block 394.

[0086] Referring now to FIGS. 9-16, a second illustrative embodiment ofthe waste segregation compliance system 500 is shown. Waste segregationcompliance system 500 includes a locating and tracking system 501 totrack the location of personnel in addition to monitoring wastedisposal. A diagrammatical representation of a portion of a healthcarefacility incorporating a waste segregation compliance system 500 isshown in FIG. 9. The healthcare facility includes a plurality of patientrooms 503 a, 503 b, 503 c, and 503 d. Each patient room 503 a, 503 b,503 c, and 503 d includes a detector 506 a, 506 b, 506 c, and 506 d,respectively. Detectors 506 a, 506 b, 506 c, and 506 d are part of thecaregiver locating and tracking system 501, the operation of which isexplained in more detail below. Each illustrative patient room 503 a,503 b, 503 c, and 503 d further includes one waste receptacle 512 a, 512b, 512 c, and 512 d, respectively. Additional waste receptacles 512 e,512 f, 512 g, and 512 h are located in illustrative patient restrooms505 a, 505 b, 505 c and 505 d, respectively. For the remainder of thisdescription, illustrative patient rooms 503 a, 503 b, 503 c, and 503 dshall be referred to generally as patient room 503, illustrative patientrestrooms 505 a, 505 b, 505 c and 505 d shall be referred to generallyas patient restroom 505, detectors 506 a, 506 b, 506 c, and 506 d shallbe referred to generally as detector 506, and waste receptacles 512 a,512 b, 512 c, 512 d, 512 e, 512 f, 512 g, and 512 h shall be referred togenerally as waste receptacle 512, unless clarity dictates the need torefer otherwise.

[0087] It should be appreciated that patient room 503 is shown toinclude a single waste receptacle 512 for illustrative purposes only,and that the waste segregation compliance system 500 of the presentinvention finds applicability regardless of the number of such wastereceptacles. For example, some patient rooms 503 may include no wastereceptacles 512, some patient rooms 503 may include one waste receptacle512, and some patient rooms 503 may include two or more wastereceptacles 512. The operation of waste receptacle 512 and theinteraction between waste receptacle 512 and caregiver locating andtracking system 501 is explained in greater detail below. The healthcarefacility further includes a nurse station 546, a common area 547, awaste station 548 and a central office 499. The central office 499includes a master station 502, which is a component of the locating andtracking system 501.

[0088] Referring further to FIG. 10, a block diagram is shown toillustrate the interaction between the components of the wastesegregation compliance system 500. Waste segregation compliance system500 is generally composed of a locating and tracking system 501, a wastereceptacle 512, a waste detection member 520, an identification member530, and a reporting member 540. As explained below, waste detectionmember 520, identification member 530 and reporting member 540 havesimilar functions to that of corresponding members 220, 230, 240 inwaste segregation compliance system 200.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 10A, location and tracking system 501includes master station 502 and a plurality of detectors 506 located inareas of the hospital, such as, for example, patient rooms 503. Masterstation 502 communicates with detectors 506 over a hard-wired connection550 as shown, for example, in FIG. 10A. Connection 550 between masterstation 502 and detectors 506 allows for the reception and transmissionof information therebetween.

[0090] In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C masterstation 502 and detector 506 communicate over a wireless connection 552.Connection 552 comprises a receiver positioned at either the masterstation 502 or at the detector 506, and a transmitter positioned at theother of the detector 506 and the master station 502. It should beappreciated that either the receiver or the transmitter may be replacedwith a transceiver of the type known in the art. In one exemplaryembodiment, detector 506 includes a transmitter which transmits a signalto a receiver at master station 502. Connection 552 in one exemplaryembodiment is composed of bi-directional traffic, i.e. a receiver andtransmitter (transceiver), at both the master station 502 and thedetector 506. In an alternative embodiment, connection 552 is composedof unidirectional traffic, i.e. a receiver at one of the master station502 and the detector 506, and a transmitter at the other of the detector500 and the master station 502.

[0091] Location and tracking system 501 further includes a plurality ofbadges 508, typically one of which is worn by each individual caregiveror person 507 as shown, for example, in FIG. 11. All detectors 506 andbadges 508 include either a receiver, a transmitter or a transceiver. Itshould be appreciated that the detectors 506 and badges 508 may includeany suitable conventional receiving members or transmitting members. Anillustrative embodiment of badge 508 includes an infrared (IR)transmitter which transmits an identification signal 509, as shown inFIGS. 10A through 11, which may include, for example, a uniqueidentification code specific to person 507 wearing badge 508. While thetransmitter in each badge 508 may be an infrared (IR) transmitter, it iswithin the scope of the invention as presently perceived to includetransmitters that convey any desired frequency of electromagneticradiation, so long as the receivers in detectors 506 are compatibletherewith and capable of detecting such transmissions. Detector 506includes a receiver and detects a signal 509 transmitted by badge 508,converts signal 509 into an electronic message, such as a locationsignal 535, and forwards the message, or otherwise makes the messageavailable to, master station 502. In this manner, the location of eachperson 507 is tracked as that person 507 moves throughout the facility.In one embodiment, the reception of signal 509 by detector 506 causesthe performance of additional functions, such as deactivating a nursecall light 519 (FIG. 11).

[0092] Additional details concerning the structure and function of anexemplary caregiver locating and tracking system are disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. RE35,035, 5,561,412, 5,838,223, and 6,344,794, the disclosuresof which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. Wastesegregation system 500 is also capable of being incorporated into thehygiene monitoring system described in co-pending PCT Patent applicationSerial No. PCT/US00/29896, which is assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention, and is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0093] Referring further to FIGS. 10 through 11, waste segregationcompliance system 500 includes waste receptacle 512 which interacts withcaregiver locating and tracking system 501. As explained below in moredetail, waste receptacle 512 monitors the amount and type of waste 504deposited into at least one compartment 570, 580, 590 and the identityof the person 507 depositing the waste 504. Waste receptacle 512 throughreporting member 540 conveys, or makes available, information to masterstation 502. In the embodiment of FIG. 10A, the information from wastereceptacle 512 is made available to master station 502 through awireless connection 537 between waste receptacle 512 and detector 506.Detector 506 and master station 502 interact as previously explained.Alternatively, waste receptacle 512 and master station 502 interactdirectly either over a hard wired connection 553 (FIG. 10B) or awireless connection 555 (FIG. 10C).

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13A, a person 507 approaches wastereceptacle 512 with waste 504. Badge 508 is associated with person 507for transmitting identification signal 509. Identification member 530 ofwaste segregation compliance system 500 includes a detector 532 todetect identification signal 509. It is well known in the art todetermine an identification code from a received signal 509 which wasoriginally transmitted with the identification code embedded therein. Itis within the scope of the present invention for badge 508 to include areceiver, such that waste segregation compliance system 500 is able topoll or interrogate badge 508, thereby causing badge 508 to transmitidentification signal 509.

[0095] Depending on the location of detector 506 relative to wastereceptacle 512 and the range of the identification signal 509transmitted by badge 508, detector 506 and detector 532 may bemonitoring generally the same area of the healthcare facility. In suchan instance, either detector 506 or detector 532 is redundant. In oneexemplary embodiment, detector 506 is a part of identification member530 and generates a location signal 535 in response to the reception ofidentification signal 509. Location signal 535 is made available tomaster station 502 over connection 550 or 552 (FIGS. 10A through 10C).Since detector 506 is generating location signal 535 for the regionincluding waste receptacle 512, waste receptacle 512 does not require aseparate detector 532. Master station 502 processes location signal 535to determine and track the location of person 507. If master station 502receives a deposit signal 525, then report signal 245 is generated basedon the deposit signal 525 and the location signal 535 corresponding tothe time frame of deposit signal 525.

[0096] In an alternate embodiment, equipment, files, disposable items,the packaging of disposable items, the packaging of consumables such asimplants, waste as described above, etc. (hereinafter referred to as“item(s) 1204”) are provided with an attached tag or transponder(hereinafter referred to as “tag(s)1208”). Tags 1208 may include dataabout item 1204, such as a unique item identifier, an item batchidentifier, the cost, weight, or expiration date of item 1204, etc. Tags1208 and the associated data gathering system described below may employa variety of different technologies and incorporate any of theabove-described waste segregation compliance systems 100, 200, 500and/or locating and tracking system 501. For example, tags 1208 mayinclude a transmitter similar to badges 508, such as an IR transmitter,and a memory, or use bar-code technology to store and convey the data.

[0097] Alternatively, tags 1208 may include an RFID device (eitheractive or passive) for providing the data to a receiver as describedbelow. Such RFID devices are produced, for example, by IntermecTechnologies Corporation of Everett, Wash. RFID tags 1208 may beconfigured for read-only operation, volatile read/write operation, orwrite once/read many (WORM) operation. Such tags 1208 do not requirecontact or line-of-sight reading.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 11A, active RFID tags 1208 may include atransmitter, and a receiver (or a transceiver 1208A), an antenna 1208B,and a battery 1208C to provide power to transceiver 1208A. Tag 1208 mayfurther include a memory 1208D to store data relating to item 1204, andmodulation circuitry 1208E to provide a tag signal 1208F conveying suchinformation as further described below. In an alternate embodiment,active RFID tags 1208 may further include a conventional power savingscircuit 1208G that interrupts or reduces the supply of power to the tagcomponents when tag 1208 remains inactive (does not transmit or receiveinformation) for a predetermined period of time. Tag 1208 remains inthis power savings mode until it next receives a signal from a detector1206 as further described below.

[0099] Passive RFID tags 1208 may include similar components. Typically,passive RFID tags 1208 reflect RF signals received from detectors 1206,and add information relating to item 1204. More specifically, when tag1208 comes with range of a detector 1206, the tag's antenna 1208Breceives an RF detector signal 1206A transmitted by detector 1206.Signal 1206A may also be used to provide power to tag 1208 as iswell-known in the art. Thus, passive RFID tags 1208 may not include abattery 1208C. Battery 1208C may, however, be included in passive RFIDtags 1208 to provide power to tag memory 1208D (if any), or modulationcircuitry 1208E. After detector signal 1206A is received, tag modulationcircuitry 1208E encodes a tag signal 1208F with the desired information(such as the unique item identifier, item batch number, etc.). Tagsignal 1208F is then transmitted back to detector 1206 either via thesame antenna 1208B that received detector signal 1206A, or anothertransmission antenna included on tag 1208.

[0100] Tags 1208 may be packaged in a variety of ways. For example, tags1208 (including the transceiver, antenna, and any other components) maybe enclosed within a container, case, or package adapted for attachmentto an item 1204 or a person 1207 using adhesive, clips, or any othersuitable attachment method. Alternatively, tags 1208 may be incorporatedinto a label for application (via adhesive or some other suitableattachment method) to an item 1204 or person 1207. Such labels may beprinted using special printers, such as those produced by ZebraTechnologies of Vernon Hills, Ill., that employ printing technologysimilar to that employed by conventional bar-code printers.

[0101] Detector 1206 for use with RFID tags 1208 generally includes anantenna 1206B, a transceiver 1206C, a reader 1206D, and communicationelectronics 1206E including antenna 1206F for wirelessly communicatingwith a central processing system, such as master station 502. Of course,communication electronics 1206E could alternatively be hardwired tomaster station 502. Transceivers 1206C transmit the RF energy ofdetector signal 1208A to activate passive tags 1208 (or active tags 1208in power savings mode) and power the response transmission (tag signal1208F) from passive tags 1208. Generally, transceiver 1206C is coupledto antenna 1206B and reader 1206D. Antenna 1206B generates an electricalfield defining the range of detector 1206. As will be further describedbelow, the antenna 1206B may be incorporated into a doorway of patientrooms 503, a pass-through wall of a facility, a waste receptacle, acabinet, or a variety of other structural elements or pieces ofequipment.

[0102] Detector reader 1206D controls the transmission of detectorsignals 1206A by transceiver 1206C and antenna 1206B, and receives andprocesses tag signals 1208F from tags 1208 as received by antenna 1206Band transceiver 1206C. Reader 1206D includes communication electronics1206E, decoding electronics 1206F for decoding the information includedin tag signals 1208F, and software 1206G. The decoded information isprovided to communication electronics 1206E for transmission to, forexample, master station 502. Software 1206G may implement anti-collisionalgorithms as are commonly known in the art to permit substantiallysimultaneous reception of multiple tag signals 1208F.

[0103] In one application of tags 1208 and detectors 1206, tags 1208 areattached to all incoming items 1204 at a location or locations outsidethe healthcare facility (e.g., when items 1204 are manufactured,packaged, shipped, etc.). As items 1204 are received at the healthcarefacility, all items 1204 are passed through receiving ports orpass-through walls at the facility equipped with detectors 1206. Asitems 1204 are passed through the receiving ports, the data relating toitems 1204 is read by detectors 1206 and transmitted to master station502. Since detectors 1206 may implement anti-collision algorithms, tagsignals 1208F from all items 1204 within containers of items 1204 may bereceived substantially simultaneously. Since no activity in addition tostandard receiving activities is required in such an application, thedata relating to the received items 1204 is collected “passively,”without scanning, manually data entry, or otherwise “actively”collecting data. Accordingly, an inventory of all received items 1204may automatically be maintained at master station 502.

[0104] By incorporating detectors 1206 at various locations throughoutthe healthcare facility (e.g., doorways to patient rooms 503, operatingrooms, recovery rooms, entryways to particular areas of the facility,etc.), the location of items 1204 equipped with tags 1208 may beautomatically tracked using locating and tracking system 501.Specifically, detectors 506 of system 501 may be replaced with detectors1206, and badges may be replaced with tags 1208. As should be understoodfrom the foregoing, people 507 may also be tracked using tags 1208instead of badges 508. In this manner, the people 507 may be associatedby location with items 1204, and the associated people 507 and items1204 may be associated with events such as scheduled procedures, item1204 disposal, etc.

[0105] For example, by employing business logic at master station 502,assumptions may be made regarding the activities of people 507 based ontheir proximity to items 1204. For example, if a person 507 enters apatient room 503 with an item 1204 such as suction canister having a tag1208 on the packaging of the canister, the identity and location of theperson 507 and the item 1204 may be ascertained by master station 502via a detector 1206 in the doorway of patient room 503 according to themethods described above. The location of person 507 and item 1204 may befurther pin-pointed by including additional detectors 1206 at variouslocations within patient room 503. For example, if a detector 1206 islocated near the patient bed, master station 502 may properly assumethat the suction canister 1204 is being used by person 507 to providehealthcare to the patient occupying the bed.

[0106] The waste segregation compliance systems 100, 200, 500 describedabove may be used to further verify the above-described assumption. Forexample, by equipping waste receptacles 110, 210, 510 with detectors1206 (to carry out the functions of waste detection members 120, 220,520 and identification members 130, 230, 530), master station 502 maydetermine the final disposition of item 1204. If person 507 depositsitem 1204 into waste receptacle 110, 210, 510, then according to themethods described above, detector 1206 of waste receptacle 110, 210, 510reports to master station 502 the fact that person 507 discarded item1204 in waste receptacle 110, 210, 510. Consequently, master station 502may remove item 1204 from the facility inventory, and record the factthat person 507 disposed of item 1204.

[0107] Moreover, since tag 1208 of item 1204 includes data relating toitem 1204, the decoded signal sent to master station 502 from detector1206 may include a description of item 1204. Of course, the unique itemidentifier included in tag signal 1208F may alternatively be associatedwith an item description. In either case, master station 502 maydetermine that item 1204 is a suction canister. Accordingly, the billfor the patient in room 503 may be adjusted to include the cost of asuction canister. Additionally, since detector 1206 may be locatedadjacent any one of compartments 270, 280, 290 of, for example, wastereceptacle 210 to report the deposit of items 1204 in a specificcompartment 270, 280, 290, master station 502 may determine whether item1204 was deposited in the correct compartment 270, 280, 290. In thisexample, item 1204 (a suction canister) would be classified as IMW.Thus, master station 502 may generate a report as described aboveindicating whether person 507 deposited item 1204 in a compartment 270,280, 290 designated to receive IMW in compliance with an establishedwaste segregation policy.

[0108] It should be understood from the foregoing that, in an alternateembodiment, a single detector 1206 could be located at waste receptacle210 to function in cooperation with waste detection member 220. In suchan embodiment, detector 1206 receives tag signals 1208F from tags 1208associated with person 507 and item 1204 when person 507 and item 1204come with the range of detector 1206. When person 507 deposits item 1204into a particular compartment 270, 280, 290, waste detection member 220generates deposit signal 225 based on input from threshold components274, 276, sensor 296, or a sensor associated with compartment 290 asdescribed above. Accordingly, detector 1206 provides master station 502an identification of person 507 and item 1204, and deposit signalprovides an indication of which of compartments 270, 280, 290 receiveditem 1204.

[0109] Waste receptacle 512, as shown in FIGS. 12 through 13C, includesa housing 511 having separate compartments 570, 580, and 590. By havingmultiple compartments 570, 580, and 590, different types of waste 504can be segregated based upon waste type. In an exemplary embodiment,compartment 570 is designated for sharps waste such as needles,compartment 590 is designated for infectious medical waste (IMW) such assoiled surgical dressings and syringes, and compartment 580 isdesignated for general waste, such as any waste not designated forcompartments 570 or 590. It is not a requirement that compartments 570,580, and 590 are contained within a single housing 511. For example, inone embodiment compartment 570 may be supported by a wall 517 andcompartments 580 and 590 are located within a floor receptacle.

[0110] It is within the scope of the present invention to assigndifferent types of waste 504 to compartments 570, 580 and 590, and tovary the number of compartments. For example, in one embodiment wastereceptacle 512 is composed of a single compartment. A single compartmentarrangement is advantageous when only a single type of waste 504 is tobe tracked. Only a single type of waste 504 requires tracking whendisposal costs are generally uniform for different types of waste 504except for one type of waste which has a disposed cost substantiallydifferent from that of other types of waste.

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13A, waste 504 is placed intocompartment 570 by passing waste 504 through an opening 577. Waste 504is placed into compartment 580 by lifting covering 581, as shown in FIG.13B by arrow 584. Waste 204 is placed in compartment 590 by applyingpressure to a foot pedal 591 which causes compartment 590 to tiltforward, as indicated by arrow 594 in FIG. 13B and in the same manner asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 4B.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 13C, waste receptacle 512 further includes ahandle 515 and wheels 521. Wheels 521 are supported at a lower rear endof housing 511. Handle 515 is located at an upper rear end of housing511 and extends outwardly therefrom. In one embodiment, handle 515 ispivotally mounted for storage within a recess (not shown) of housing 511when waste receptacle 512 is in use. Handle 515 and wheels 521 allow forthe easy transport of waste receptacle 512 from location to location.Waste receptacle 512 is moved, similar to a two-wheel cart, by tiltinghousing 511 backwards about wheels 521, such that only wheels 521 arecontacting the floor 527. The waste receptacle 512 may then be rolledeither forward or backward on wheels 521.

[0113] The mobility of waste receptacle 512 allows for waste receptacle512 to be moved to a conventional central disposal location wherecompartments 570, 580 and 590 are emptied into corresponding largercompartments. Alternatively, the mobility of waste receptacle 512 allowsperson 507 to take waste receptacle 512 with them during their workshift.

[0114] Waste detection member 520 detects when waste 504 is deposited inone of or a combination of compartments 570, 580 and 590. Wastedetection member 520 generates a deposit signal 525 in response to thedetection of a use of waste receptacle 512. Compartments 570, 580, and590, preferably contain sensors, such as scales 572, 582, and 592, todetect a change in the weight of the respective compartment 570, 580,590. In one exemplary embodiment, waste detection member 220 determinesthe compartment 570, 580 or 590 into which waste 504 was deposited bydetermining the change in weight for each compartment 570, 580, 590.

[0115] In another exemplary embodiment, waste detection member 520includes two components 574 and 576 associated with compartment 570 andintended to replace or augment sensor 572. Components 574 and 576 aredesigned to determine when waste 504 passes into opening 577. In oneembodiment, component 574 is an emitter and component 576 is a detectorconfigured to detect energy emitted by component 574. When waste 504passes between emitter 574 and detector 576, the signal detected bydetector 576 from emitter 574 is modified, indicating that waste 504 isbeing placed into compartment 570.

[0116] In a further alternative embodiment, waste detection member 520includes a sensor 596 associated with covering 581, such that the sensor596 identifies the deposit of waste 504 into compartment 580 by theopening of covering 581. Examples of a sensor to detect the opening ofcover 581 may include an optical sensor, an inductive based sensor or acontinuity sensor.

[0117] In a further alternative embodiment, waste detection member 520includes a sensor to detect the level or volume of the waste in acompartment. Such level or volume sensors are known in the art and areespecially tailored for use with applications which include liquidwaste. An advantage of sensors 572, 582, and 592 over thresholdcomponents 574, 576 and sensors associated with the opening of cover581, is that sensors 572, 582, and 592 detect not only the deposit ofwaste 504 into compartment 570, 580 and 590, but additionally the weightof waste 504. As such, the sensors 522, 582, 592 detect the deposit ofwaste and the quantity of waste deposited.

[0118] Referring now to FIGS. 11, 13A, 14, and 15, reporting member 540includes a display screen 542. When waste compliance system 500 detectsthe deposit of waste 504 into compartment 570, 580 or 590 of wastereceptacle 512 and identifies the person 507 adjacent waste receptacle512, reporting member 540 reports the results of the detections.Generally, waste detection member 520 generates deposit signal 525 andidentification member 530 generates location signal 535. Deposit signal525 and location signal 535 are combined to generate report signal 545which is made available to reporting member 540. In an alternativeembodiment, reporting signal 545 includes location signal 535 even inthe absence of a deposit signal 225, when the location of person 507 isbeing tracked independent of whether waste 204 was deposited in wastereceptacle 512.

[0119] In FIG. 17, an illustrative report 544 is shown on display 542.Report 544 includes a title 546, a name or other identification 548 ofperson 507, a breakdown 549 of the waste 504 deposited and a calculateddisposal cost 551.

[0120] In one exemplary embodiment, report signal 545 is generated atmaster station 502 from the receipt of location signal 535 and depositsignal 525. Report signal 545 is used to create various reports and topopulate database files.

[0121] The operation of waste detection member 520, identificationmember 530 and reporting member 540 is controlled by processor 560 whichexecutes software 600. Flowcharts corresponding to two components ofsoftware 600 executed by processor 560 are shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Inone embodiment, processor 560 is located at waste receptacle 512. Inanother embodiment, processor 560 is located at master station 502. Inyet another embodiment processor 560 is representative of a collectionof processors, some residing at waste receptacle 512 and others residingat master station 502, wherein the individual processors collectivelyperform the functions of software 600.

[0122] The first component of software 600 is executed when a depositsignal 525 is generated within a reasonable time prior to a locationsignal 535. The second component of software 600 is executed when alocation signal 535 is generated within a reasonable time prior to adeposit signal 525. Each component is detailed below. Additionally, FIG.16 illustrates the steps taken by software 600 when a valididentification signal 509 is not received by identification member 530and hence a location signal 535 is not generated within a reasonabletime after the reception of a deposit signal 525. The length of timecorresponding to a reasonable time is a predetermined value of avariable within software 500. In one embodiment, a reasonable time isestablished to be equal to 1 second.

[0123] A flowchart illustrating the steps or functions performed by thefirst component of software 600 is shown in FIG. 14. Once the system 500is activated at block 601, all variables are initialized or set toinitial values. More particularly, the amount, typically the weight, ofwaste 504 in each compartment 570, 580, 590 is measured and stored inmemory 560. Software 600 waits to receive deposit signal 525 from wastedetection member 520, as represented at block 602. As detailed above,deposit signal 525 represents the detection of waste 504. In anexemplary embodiment, software 600 is capable of performing additionaltasks in the absence of the reception of deposit signal 525, asrepresented by block 604. For example, the additional tasks areinitiated by an interrupt to the software execution. One example of anadditional task, is the processing of location signal 535 in the absenceof deposit signal 525 (see FIG. 15). If deposit signal 525 is received,then software 600 activates identification member 530.

[0124] Block 606 represents the activation of identification member 530in response to waste 504 being detected by waste detection member 520.As detailed above, waste receptacle detector 532 detects theidentification signal 509 emitted by badge 508. The receivedidentification signal 509 is analyzed to determine the identity ofperson 507 at process block 608. If identification signal 509 is valid,then identification member 530 generates a location signal 535. Ifidentification signal 509 is not valid, then identification member 530does not generate a location signal 535. In an alternative embodiment,identification member 530 is continuously active such that locationsignal 535 is generated independent of the generation of deposit signal525. For example, when detector 506 is part of identification member530, identification member 530 is always activated because detector 506is used to track and locate person 507 independent of whether person 507deposits waste 504 within receptacle 512.

[0125] Software 600 checks to determine if a valid location signal 535has been produced by identification member 530, as represented atdecision block 605. If a location signal 535 has not been received, thensoftware 600 initiates an unassigned deposit routine, as represented atprocess block 607. The unassigned deposit routine is explained in detailbelow in connection with FIG. 16. If a valid location signal 535 isreceived, software 600 activates timer 561 at block 609. The timer 561controls the time frame wherein multiple deposits of waste 604 are allincluded in a single waste event 578 and attributed to the same person507 identified in location signal 535. Waste event 578 includes all ofthe deposit signals 525 received during the period of time defined bythe timer 561. By setting the timer 561 to a low or zero value, eachdeposit of waste 504 is recorded as a separate waste event 578. Byincreasing the timer 561 to a higher value multiple deposit signals 525are included in the same event 578. The compartment 570, 580, 590corresponding to the detected deposit signal 525 is recorded, asillustrated by block 610, and the weight of the contents of identifiedcompartment 570, 580, 590 is recorded, as illustrated by block 612.

[0126] As detailed with respect to the previous embodiment, the currentrecorded weight of waste 504 within any compartment 570, 580 and 590 isa composite value of previously deposited waste 504. The software 600 istherefore capable of calculating the incremental change in weight due tothe addition of new waste 504 into a respective compartment 570, 580 and590. More particularly, the memory 550 stores a value for weight ofwaste 504 at a given time. After additional waste 504 is added to therespective compartment 570, 580 and 590, the processor 560, asinstructed by software 600, determines a differential between the newweight of the compartment 570, 580 and 590 and the weight stored inmemory 550. As such, the weight of the new additional waste 504 isefficiently calculated.

[0127] Software 600 determines if the timer 561 has expired at block613. If the timer 561 has not expired, then at block 615 software 600determines if an additional deposit signal 525 has been generated bywaste detection member 520. If an additional deposit signal 525 has beenreceived, then the process returns to block 610 where the compartment570, 580, 590 corresponding to the deposit signal 525 is recorded. Theweight of the compartment 570, 580, 590 is again recorded at block 612.

[0128] In another exemplary embodiment, software 600 records the weightof each compartment 570, 580, 590 only after the timer 561 has expired.As such, the total weight of waste 504, corresponding to the depositsignals 525, is recorded after the timer 561 has expired. In such asystem, deposit signal 525 serves only as an indication of whichcompartments 570, 580, 590 are to be weighed.

[0129] Once the timer 561 has expired, as determined at decision block613, software 600 generates waste event 578 as indicated in block 617.Waste event 578 is a summary of all deposit signals 525 received priorto the expiration of the timer 561 and includes the compartment 570, 580and 590 into which waste was deposited and the amount of wastedeposited. Report signal 545 is generated by software 600 and sent toreporting member 540 at block 614. Report signal 545 includesinformation from location signal 535 and waste event 578.

[0130] Reporting member 540 communicates compliance report 544 which wascreated from report signal 545. In one exemplary embodiment, compliancereport 544 is displayed on display 542 as illustrated at block 616. Inanother exemplary embodiment, a tangible or hard copy of compliancereport 544 is created with an appropriate output device, such as aprinter (not shown). In yet another exemplary embodiment, the datacomprising compliance report 544 is made available in an electronicformat to a database or e-mail system, such that the data can beprovided to personnel or other software programs.

[0131] An example compliance report 544 is shown in FIG. 17. Compliancereport 544 illustratively includes title 546, name or otheridentification 548 of person 507; waste breakdown 549 and disposal cost551. The percentage of the overall waste 504 deposited in eachcompartment, 570, 580, 590 is included in waste breakdown 549. Thedisposal cost is figured by multiplying the weight of each type of wastedeposited by the average unit cost for disposing of that type of waste504. The disposal costs for each type of waste 504 are then addedtogether to provide an overall disposal cost. The average unit disposalcosts for each type of waste 504 are variable values stored in memory550 and accessed by software 600. Alternatively, compliance report 544does not include disposal cost 551. The data detected is stored in adatabase or other file memory 550, as illustrated at block 618. In oneexemplary embodiment, report signal 545 is stored in memory 550, alongwith the weight of each compartment 570, 580 and 590.

[0132] The timer 561 of blocks 609 and 613 of FIG. 14 provides person507 with a fixed duration of time before software 600 records wastedisposal event 578. If the span of time between two or more deposits ofwaste 504, and the corresponding reception of two or more depositsignals 525, are within the fixed duration of time set by the timer 561then a single corresponding waste disposal event 578 is recorded whenthe timer 561 expires. If the span of time between any two time adjacentdeposits of waste 504 and corresponding deposit signals 525 exceeds thefixed duration of time set by timer 261, then two waste disposal events578 are recorded, one for each deposit.

[0133] In another exemplary embodiment, instead of the timer, software600 determines whether person 507 is still detected by detector 532 toset the time frame of waste event 578 thereby eliminating the need fortimer 561. If identification signal 509 is still being received bydetector 532, software 600 continues to monitor and record compartments570, 580, 590 and weights of waste 504. Once identification signal 509is no longer received by detector 532, software 600 generates wasteevent 578 and generates report signal 545.

[0134] A flowchart illustrating the steps or functions performed by thesecond component of software 600 is shown in FIG. 15. After activationof the system 500 at block 649 all variables are initialized or set toinitial values. More, particularly, the amount, typically the weight, ofwaste 504 in each compartment 570, 580, 590 is measured and stored inmemory 550. An identification signal 509 is received by identificationmember 530 at block 650. More particularly, detector 532 detects thepresence of person 507 by receiving identification signal 509. Theidentification signal 509 is next analyzed at process block 652. Ifidentification signal 509 is valid, then identification member 530generates a location signal 535. If identification signal 509 is notvalid, then identification member 530 does not generate a locationsignal 535.

[0135] The software 600 at decision block 654 determines whetherprocessor 560 has received location signal 535 from identificationmember 530. If the location signal 535 has been received by processor560, then the software 600 continues at decision block 656, otherwisethe process returns to block 650. At block 656 software 600 determinesif waste detection member 520 has generated a deposit signal 525. Ifwaste 504 has not been detected, software 600 loops back to block 650and waits for the reception of a second, in time but not necessarilyunique, location signal 535.

[0136] If a deposit signal 525 is received at block 656, software 600activates timer 561 at block 658. Next, the software 600 records withinmemory 550 the compartment 570, 580, 590 corresponding to deposit signal525 at block 660, and determines and records within memory 550 theweight of the contents of the identified compartment 570, 580, 590 atblock 662.

[0137] Software 600 determines if the timer 561 has expired at decisionblock 663. If the timer 561 has not expired, then software 600determines if an additional deposit signal 525 has been generated bywaste detection member 520 at decision block 665. If an additionaldeposit signal 525 has been received by processor 560, then the processreturns to block 660. The compartment 570, 580, 590 corresponding to thedeposit signal 525 and the weight of respective compartments 570, 580,590 are recorded, as represented by blocks 660 and 662.

[0138] In another exemplary embodiment, software 600 records the weightof each compartment 570, 580, 590 only after the timer 561 has expired.As such, the total weight of waste 504, corresponding to the receiveddeposit signals 525, is recorded after the timer 561 has expired. Insuch a configuration, deposit signal 525 serves only as an indication ofwhich compartment 570, 580, 590 is to be weighed.

[0139] Once the timer 561 has expired, as determined at block 663,software 600 generates waste event 278 at process block 669. Waste event578 is a summary of all deposit signals 525 received prior to theexpiration of the timer 561 and includes the compartment 570, 580 and590 into which waste was deposited and the amount of waste 504deposited. Software 600 next instructs the processor 560 to generate andtransmit report signal 545 to reporting member 540, as illustrated byblock 667. Report signal 545 includes information from location signal535 and waste event 578. The timer 561 illustrated in FIG. 15 providesperson 507 with a fixed duration of time before software 600 records awaste disposal event 578.

[0140] In an alternative embodiment, software 600 determines whetheridentification signal 509 is still being received by detector 532 ordetector 506 to set the time frame of waste event 578 therebyeliminating the need for timer 561. If identification signal 509 isstill being received by detector 532, software 600 continues to monitorand record compartments 570, 580, 590 and weights of waste 504. Onceidentification signal 509 is no longer received by detector 532,software 600 generates waste disposal event 578.

[0141] Reporting member 540 communicates compliance report 544 which wascreated from report signal 545. In one exemplary embodiment, at block666 compliance report 544 is displayed on display 542. In anotherexemplary embodiment, a tangible or hard copy report of compliancereport 644 is created with an appropriate output device, such as aprinter (not shown). In yet another exemplary embodiment, the datacomprising compliance report 544 is made available in an electronicformat to a database or e-mail system, such that the data can beprovided to personnel or other software programs. An example of thecompliance report 544 is described in detail above in connection withFIG. 17. The detected data is then stored in a database or file ofmemory 550, as illustrated at block 668. In an exemplary embodiment, thedata stored in memory 550 includes the weight of compartments 570, 580,590 and report signal 545.

[0142]FIG. 16 illustrates the unassigned deposit routine, which recordsa waste event 578 in the absence of the reception of a location signal535. The unassigned deposit routine is initiated at block 679 from thesoftware component illustrated in FIG. 14 when a deposit signal 525 hasbeen received and a reasonable time has passed without the reception ofa location signal 535. The term reasonable time is defined by a variablein software 600 varies for different applications. In an exemplaryembodiment, the variable corresponding to a reasonable time is set at 1second.

[0143] Software 600 at block 680 activates a default timer (not shown)which is in addition to the timers 561 discussed in relation to FIGS. 14and 15. Software 600 records into memory 550 the compartment 570, 580,590 into which waste 504 was deposited as represented by block 682. Thesoftware 600 further records into memory 550 the weight of waste 504, asrepresented by block 684. Software 600 determines if the default timerhas expired at block 686. If the default timer has not expired, thensoftware 600 awaits to include an additional deposit of waste 504 inwaste disposal event 578, at decision block 688. When the default timerexpires, software 600 determines if identification member 530 hasreceived a valid identification signal 509 and has generated locationsignal 535, as illustrated by block 690. If location signal 535 has beengenerated, then waste disposal event 578 is attributable to the person507 identified by location signal 535, and such information is storedwithin memory 550 as indicated by block 692. If a location signal 535 isnot received, then waste disposal event 578 is marked as unassigned atblock 694.

[0144] Waste segregation compliance system 500 allows healthcarefacilities to determine caregiver compliance with waste disposalprotocols by providing data which is presentable in various types ofcompliance reports. For example, a hospital summary report provides asummary of the waste disposal statistics and waste disposal costs forthe hospital as a whole and specific departments within a healthcareenvironment. The purpose of the report is to identify departments withinthe hospital which have the most difficulty with waste segregationcompliance so that corrective action may be taken. FIG. 18 shows anexample of a department summary report 699. The department summaryreport 699 provides a summary of the waste disposal statistics anddisposal costs for a specific department within a healthcareenvironment. The purpose of the report is to identify areas within theunit of caregivers which have the most difficulty with compliance sothat corrective action may be taken.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 18, the department summary report 699 includesthe department name 700, the time period for which the report isgenerated 701 and overall department waste statistics 702, 703 and 704.The report 699 further provides an overall department total disposalweight 705 and a department disposal cost 706. The report 699 alsobreaks the department into specific caregivers or groups 707. The report699 provides waste statistics 708, 709 and 711, along with weight 713and disposal costs 715 for each caregiver or group. This breakdownallows the person viewing the report to determine which employees orgroups are having the most difficulty with waste segregation compliance.Departments can be charged for waste disposal or credited forrecyclables as an additional incentive to segregate waste.

[0146]FIGS. 19A through 23B illustrate several different embodiments ofa waste receptacle in accordance with the present invention. Each wastereceptacle 710, 810, 910, 1010, and 1110 is interchangeable with wastereceptacle 110, 210 and 512 as identified above. In one embodiment, eachwaste receptacle 710, 810, 910, 1010, and 1110 is similar to wastereceptacle 110 and includes a detection member generally similar todetection member 120, an identification member generally similar toidentification member 130, a reporting member generally similar toreporting member 140, a memory generally similar to memory 150, and aprocessor generally similar to processor 160. In another embodiment,each waste receptacle 710, 810, 910, 1010, and 1110 is similar to wastereceptacle 210 and includes a detection member generally similar todetection member 220, an identification member generally similar toidentification member 230, a reporting member generally similar toreporting member 240, a memory generally similar to memory 250, and aprocessor generally similar to processor 260. In yet another embodiment,each waste receptacle 710, 810, 910, 1010, and 1110 is similar to wastereceptacle 512 and includes a detection member generally similar todetection member 520, an identification member generally similar toidentification member 530, a reporting member generally similar toreporting member 540, a memory generally similar to memory 550, and aprocessor generally similar to processor 560.

[0147] Referring further to FIGS. 19A and 19B, waste receptacle 710includes a housing 711, a first compartment 770, a second compartment780, and a third compartment 790. Waste 704 is deposited by a person 708into compartment 770 through an opening 772. Compartment 770 isremovable from housing 711 by rotating cover 774 in a directionillustrated by arrow 776 in FIG. 19B and then lifting compartment 770 ina vertical direction illustrated by arrow 778 in FIG. 19B. Waste 704 isdeposited by a person 708 into compartment 780 by moving a hinged cover782 in the direction illustrated by arrow 784 in FIG. 19B. Cover 782 ismoved through a conventional linkage (not shown) in response to person708 stepping on foot pedal 783. Compartment 780 is removable fromhousing 711 by opening a hinged cover 786 in a direction indicated byarrow 778 in FIG. 19B and by moving compartment 780 in a directionillustrated by arrow 779 in FIG. 19B. Waste 704 is deposited by a person708 into compartment 790 by moving a hinged cover 792 in the directionillustrated by arrow 784 in FIG. 19B. Cover 792 is moved through aconventional linkage (not shown) in response to person 708 stepping onfoot pedal 793. Compartment 790 is removable from housing 711 by openinga hinged cover 796 in a direction indicated by arrow 798 in FIG. 19B andby moving compartment 790 in a direction illustrated by arrow 799 inFIG. 19B.

[0148] Waste receptacle 710 further includes a generally horizontalsurface 720 which provides a work surface for person 708. Wastereceptacle 710 additionally includes a dispenser 722. In one embodiment,dispenser 722 dispenses waste bags 724 to be used in connection withcompartments 770, 780, and 790. In an alternative embodiment, dispenser722 supplies wipes which are used by person 708 to sanitize their hands705. Waste receptacle 710 further includes a panel 725. Panel 725includes printed instructions 726 which detail the guidelines for properwaste disposal.

[0149] Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B, waste receptacle 810 includes ahousing 811 having a generally horizontal surface 820 which provides awork surface for person 808, a first compartment 870, a secondcompartment 880, and a third compartment 890. Waste 804 is deposited bya person 808 into compartment 870 through an opening 872 formed withinsurface 820. Compartment 870 is removable from housing 811 by movingcompartment 870 a direction illustrated by arrow 876 in FIG. 20B. Waste804 is deposited by a person 808 into compartment 880 in one of twoways. Small items are deposited into compartment 880 directly throughopening 872. Larger items are deposited in compartment 880 by tiltingcompartment 880 in a direction indicated by arrow 884 in FIG. 20B.Compartment 880 is tilted in response to person 808 stepping on footpedal 883. Compartment 880 is removable from housing 811 to facilitatethe emptying of waste 804 from compartment 880. Waste 804 is depositedby a person 808 into compartment 890 in one of two ways. Small items aredeposited into compartment 890 directly through opening 892. Largeritems are deposited in compartment 890 by tilting compartment 890 in adirection indicated by arrow 894 in FIG. 20B. Compartment 890 is tiltedin response to person 808 stepping on foot pedal 893. Compartment 890 isremovable from housing 811 to facilitate the emptying of waste 804 fromcompartment 890.

[0150] Referring now to FIGS. 21A and 21B, waste receptacle 910 includesa housing 911 having a generally horizontal surface 920 which provides awork surface for person 908, a first compartment 970, a secondcompartment 980, and a third compartment 990. Waste 904 is deposited bya person 908 into compartment 970 through an opening 972. Compartment970 is removable by opening a hinged door 974 located in a hallway 975outside of patient room 903 as illustrated in FIG. 21B. Waste 904 isdeposited by a person 908 into compartment 980 by moving compartment 980in a direction indicated by arrow 982 in FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B.Compartment 980 is moved in response to person 908 stepping on footpedal 983. Compartment 980 is removable from housing 911 to facilitatethe emptying of waste 904 from compartment 980. Waste 904 is depositedby a person 908 into compartment 990 by moving compartment 990 in adirection indicated by arrow 992 in FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B. Compartment990 is moved in response to person 908 stepping on foot pedal 993.Compartment 990 is removable from housing 911 to facilitate the emptyingof waste 904 from compartment 990.

[0151] Compartments 980 and 990 are removable from housing 911 by movingthe selected compartment in a direction indicated by arrow 985 in FIG.21B. As shown in FIG. 21B, compartments 980 and 990 are emptied inhallway 975. By emptying each compartment 970, 980 and 990 in hallway975 instead of in patient room 903, the risk of infection to the patientis reduced.

[0152] Referring to FIGS. 22A and 22B, waste receptacle 1010 includes ahousing 1011, a compartment 1070, a compartment 1080, and a compartment1090. Housing 1011 is attached directly to a wall 1012. Waste 1004 isdeposited by a person 1008 into compartment 1070 through an opening1072. Compartment 1070 is removable from housing 1011 by rotating cover1074 in a direction illustrated by arrow 1076 in FIG. 22B and thenmoving compartment 1070 in a direction illustrated by arrow 1078 in FIG.22B. Waste 1004 is deposited by a person 1008 into compartment 1080 bymoving a hinged cover 1082 in the direction illustrated by arrow 1084 inFIG. 22B. Cover 1082 is moved in response to person 1008 stepping onfoot pedal 1083. Compartment 1080 is removable from housing 1011 byopening hinged cover 1082 and by moving compartment 1080 in a directionillustrated by arrow 1086 in FIG. 22B. Compartment 1080 a is shown inFIG. 22B to illustrate compartment 1080 in a state of removal fromhousing 1011. Waste 1004 is deposited by a person 1008 into compartment1090 by moving a hinged cover 1092 in the direction illustrated by arrow1084 in FIG. 22B. Cover 1092 is moved in response to person 1008stepping on foot pedal 1093. Compartment 1090 is removable from housing1011 by opening hinged cover 1092 in a direction indicated by arrow 1094and by moving compartment 1090 in a direction illustrated by arrow 1099in FIG. 22B.

[0153] Referring to FIGS. 23A and 23B, waste receptacle 1110 contains ahousing 1111 and multiple waste compartments 1160, 1170, 1180, 1190, and1200 to facilitate the effective segregation of waste 1104. Eachcompartment 1160, 1170, 1180, 1190, and 1200 includes a respectiveopening 1161, 1171, 1181, 1191, and 1201 to permit the placement ofwaste 1104 into each respective compartment 1160, 1170, 1180, 1190, and1200 from the outside of waste receptacle 1110.

[0154] During proper use of waste receptacle 1110, person 1108 is todeposit waste 1104 into the compartment 1160, 1170, 1180, 1190, and 1200which corresponds to the type of waste being disposed. Each compartment1160, 1170, 1180, 1190, and 1200 is removable from housing 1111 byopening hinged cover 1113.

[0155] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detailin the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration anddescription is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive incharacter, it being understood that only exemplary embodiments have beenshown and described and that all changes and modifications that comewithin the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

1. A computer readable medium for use with a processor associated with awaste receptacle, the waste receptacle having a first detectorconfigured to receive an identification signal from a transmitterassociated with a person proximate to the waste receptacle and at leasta first compartment with an associated first waste detector and a secondcompartment with an associated second waste detector, the computerreadable medium comprising a plurality of instructions which whenexecuted by the processor cause the processor to: process informationreceived by the first detector to determine the identity of the person;process information received from the first waste detector and thesecond waste detector to determine if waste has been deposited in therespective first compartment and second compartment; in response to adetermination that waste has been deposited in the waste receptacle,associating the identified person with the deposited waste; andproviding information representative of the identity of the person andinto which of first compartment and second compartment waste wasdeposited to a remote computer.
 2. The computer readable medium of claim1, wherein the first compartment is associated with infectious medicalwaste and has a first associated disposal cost and the secondcompartment is associated with general waste and has a second associateddisposal cost.
 3. The computer readable medium of claim 2, wherein theinstructions when executed by the processor further cause the processorto calculate a composite disposal cost associated with the wastedeposited in the waste receptacle based on which compartments of thefirst compartment and the second compartment waste was deposited in andthe first associated disposal cost and the second associated disposalcost.
 4. The computer readable medium of claim 3, wherein at least aportion of the waste provides identification information to the firstdetector and the instructions when executed by the processor furthercause the processor to determine the type of asset deposited in thewaste receptacle.
 5. The computer readable medium of claim 3, whereinthe instructions when executed by the processor further cause theprocessor to provide the composite disposal cost to the remote computer.6. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructionswhen executed by the processor further cause the processor to calculatea composite cost associated with the waste deposited in the wastereceptacle.
 7. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein theinstructions when executed by the processor further cause the processorto associate the deposited waste with the identified person if therelative time period between the waste being deposited and the personbeing identified is less than a threshold value.
 8. The computerreadable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions when executed bythe processor further cause the processor to continuously monitor thefirst detector for information to process.
 9. The computer readablemedium of claim 1, wherein the instructions when executed by theprocessor further cause the processor to monitor the first detector inresponse to processing information from one of the first waste detectorand the second waste detector.
 10. A computer readable medium for usewith a processor associated with a waste segregation compliance systemincluding at least a first waste receptacle positioned within a facilityand having at least a first compartment and a second compartment and alocating and tracking system, the locating and tracking system includinga plurality of transmitters associated with respective assets eachtransmitter configured to transmit an identification signal and aplurality of detectors positioned within the facility each detectorconfigured to receive the identification signal from transmittersproximate to the detector, the computer readable medium comprising aplurality of instructions which when executed by the processor cause theprocessor to: process information received by the plurality of detectorsrepresentative of the location of at least a first transmitter of theplurality of the transmitters; track the location of the assetassociated with the first transmitter as the asset moves throughout thefacility based on the received information representative of thelocation of the first transmitter; process information received from thefirst waste receptacle representative of the placement of waste in atleast one of the first compartment and the second compartment; associatethe placement of waste in the waste receptacle with the firsttransmitter based on the proximity of the first transmitter to the wastereceptacle at or near the time of the placement of waste in the wastereceptacle; and provide information representative of the firsttransmitter associated with the placement of the waste in the wastereceptacle and information representative of the amount of waste placedin each compartment of the waste receptacle.
 11. The computer readablemedium of claim 10, wherein the first compartment is associated withinfectious medical waste and has a first associated disposal cost andthe second compartment is associated with general waste and has a secondassociated disposal cost.
 12. The computer readable medium of claim 11,wherein the instructions when executed by the processor further causethe processor to calculate a composite disposal cost associated with thewaste deposited in the waste receptacle based on which compartments ofthe first compartment and the second compartment waste was deposited inand the first associated disposal cost and the second associateddisposal cost.
 13. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein theplacement of waste in the waste receptacle is associated with the firsttransmitter if the relative time period between the waste beingdeposited and the detection of the first transmitter is less than athreshold value.
 14. The computer readable medium of claim 10, whereinthe first transmitter is associated with a person.
 15. The computerreadable medium of claim 10, wherein the first transmitter is associatedwith a disposable item.
 16. The computer readable medium of claim 10,wherein a second transmitter is associated with a disposable item and afirst detector is positioned at an entrance to the facility and whereinthe instructions when executed by the processor further cause theprocessor to add the disposable item to an inventory when the disposableitem enters the facility through the entrance.
 17. The computer readablemedium of claim 16, wherein when the disposable item associated with thesecond transmitter is placed in the waste receptacle the plurality ofinstructions cause the processor to remove the disposable item from theinventory.
 18. A computer readable medium for use with a processorassociated with a waste receptacle having at least a first compartmentand a second compartment and a locating and tracking system, thelocating and tracking system including a master station and plurality ofdetectors positioned throughout a facility, including a first detectorassociated with the waste receptacle, each of the detectors beingconfigured to receive a respective identification signal from each of aplurality of transmitters, the computer readable medium comprising aplurality of instructions which when executed by the processor cause theprocessor to: monitor at least the first detector to determine if afirst transmitter of the plurality of transmitters is proximate to theassociated waste receptacle; monitor the first compartment of the wastereceptacle and the second compartment of the waste receptacle todetermine if waste has been deposited within one of the firstcompartment and the second compartment, a first determination beingassociated with the depositing of waste within one of the firstcompartment and the second compartment and a second determination beingassociated with the absence of the depositing of waste within one of thefirst compartment and the second compartment; in response to a firstdetermination that waste has been deposited within one of the firstcompartment and the second compartment, associating the firsttransmitter with the deposited waste; providing to the master station,in response to the first determination, information representative ofthe location of the first transmitter and the associated depositedwaste; and providing to the master station, in response to the seconddetermination, information representative of the location of the firsttransmitter.
 19. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein thefirst compartment is associated with infectious medical waste and has afirst associated disposal cost and the second compartment is associatedwith general waste and has a second associated disposal cost.
 20. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions whenexecuted by the processor further cause the processor to calculate acomposite disposal cost associated with the waste deposited in the wastereceptacle based on which compartments of the first compartment and thesecond compartment waste was deposited in and the first associateddisposal cost and the second associated disposal cost.